CONTENT S. Sermon I. · II. GOD glorified in Heaven for the Works GOD works not for our Sakes only, but III. The fame Subject, continued. IV. The Work of Redemption marvellous, but Page 6 VI. Shepherds glorifying GOD, for the Birth VII. John leaning on Jefus's Bofom. VIII. The Spectators of the Crucifixion fmit- IX. GOD's Works, as King of Saints, great 22 37 56 69 84 98 112 126 140 XI. GOD XVII. Children in the Temple praifing the XVIII. The Neceffity of early Religion. God glorified in Heaven for his Works of Creation and Providence. REVELATION 4, xi. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power; for thou haft created all things, and, for thy pleafure they are and were created. S T. John, in this chapter, describes a vifion which he had of the heavenly worship. He faw a throne placed in heaven, with the appearance of divine glory upon it; and feats difpofed a round, on which fat the elders, clothed in white raiment, with golden crowns on their heads; and in the midft, and round about the throne, were the principal angels. These began the worship with celebrating the infinite purity of the divine nature, and afcribing all glory to him, who fat on the throne; and then the elders joined their 1 voices, falling before the throne, cafting down their crowns, and faying, Thou art worthy to receive glory, and honour, and power; for thou haft created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. In these words we may observe, 1. That all things were created by God. II. That they were created, and are upheld for his pleasure. III. That all rational beings are to glorify him for his creation and providence." 1. The heavenly church acknowledge that God created all things. If the world was created, there was a time wher it did not exift. Though it received its prefent form from preexifting matter, yet this matter must, at fome time or other, have received its existence from the fame hand which moulded it into this wondrous form. The worlds were framed by the word of God; fo that things which are feen, were not made of things which do appear. If the world were eternal and felf exiftent, it would be immutable; for that which exifts neceffarily, is neceffarily what it is, and not liable to change or diffolution. But we fee thefe material things continually fubject to alteration and decay; we may therefore conclude that they are the creatures of time. As all creation had a beginning, fo this part of It had a late beginning. The fcriptural account, which dates it but a few thoufand years back, is in |